Architectural Design Technology (with Foundation Year)

Our Architectural Design Technology degree explores how design and technology work together, giving you a practical working knowledge of both areas - crucial to successful conception, evaluation, design, construction and eventual use of buildings and built environment schemes. Your projects can be based on local projects, will include real schemes with real clients, as well as involvement with European partners. (Check out one of our real schemes in the Career Prospects tab below)

You will develop knowledge of how designs evolve from the initial idea to the construction stage, and beyond. This will include the implications of your choices of structure and materials in order to lead the way with cutting-edge design solutions for all scenarios. You will do this within a learning environment where your design experience is personal and focused on you developing your skills, discovering new ones, and becoming a confident and convincing Architectural Technologist.

The course is fully accredited by the Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists (CIAT) the professional body you will join as students, be eligible for Associate Membership (ACIAT) on graduation, and can progress to full Chartered status with appropriate experience. Being a Chartered Architectural Technologists will give you all the same powers as an Architect but in considerably less time.

Our students have a great track record of gaining relevant architectural employment during their second and third years of study, through our acting as a source for local and regional employment advertising, and the delivery of our full-time course over 2 days during term time (1 day for part-time). Being able to hit the ground running thanks to the course and how we deliver is a means of potentially accelerating your path to Chartered status.

This course is also available to study as a three-year programme without a foundation year BSc (Hons) Architectural Design Technology UCAS Code: K100

*Subject to validation

The course is structured around design module projects present in every year, increasing in complexity from the domestic to the urban development scale, with the integration of Computer Aided Design and construction technology modules in particular informing the design process.

You will be assisted, in the Design Studio, in applying the concurrent knowledge gained in the other modules you study in the same year to your designs. For example the domestic construction technology you study in Year 1 will help you develop your own designs for shelters and houses in the design module you’ll complete in that year.
You will continue this process in Years 2 and 3 as well by developing your cumulative knowledge across the all the years so by the time you get to the final design project in your third year, you’ll be applying specialisms from across your whole time as a student.

YEAR 1 (FOUNDATION YEAR)

In the Foundation Year you will study learning styles and methods, show your awareness of current affairs and reinforce your ability to work with quantities and materials. Other modules will introduce sketching and drawing, awareness of the built and natural environment and group work on projects relating to the built environment.

You will be expected to attend lectures on two days each week and then do your reading and assignment writing on other days. Each of two semesters will have up to 14 weeks of teaching.

MODULES

Graphical Communication in the Built Environment
Number in the Built Environment
Sustainability and the Environment
Built Enviroment Project
The Skills You Need
Contextual Studies

Year 2 modules (Level 4)

Design & Technology 1
Construction Management 1
Construction Technology 1
Sustainable Construction
Quantity Surveying Practice 1
Science and Materials

Year 3 modules (Level 5)

Architectural Design & Technology 2 (Including Work-based Learning)
Planning and Building Regulations
Construction Technology 2
Digital Technologies in Surveying
Procurement and Contract Practice

Year 4 modules (Level 6)

Architectural Design & Technology 3
Inter-professional Studies
Construction Technology 3
Commercial Management
Project Management Technologies and BIM

The information listed in this section is an overview of the academic content of the programme that will take the form of either core or option modules. Modules are designated as core or option in accordance with professional body requirements and internal academic framework review, so may be subject to change.

Foundation year assessment will be by a variety of methods including presentations, portfolio of observations, worksheets and written work. The Glyndwr Virtual Learning Environment will support your learning and will be a repository of learning materials.
The overall strategy for the Built Environment as a whole is to ensure that assessment:

• provides the opportunity for learners to demonstrate achievement of the learning outcomes at each level of study;
• allows learners to demonstrate achievement at the threshold and exemplary levels;
• reflects the requirements of practice;
• increases employability;
• is sufficiently varied in order to accommodate different learning styles; and
• provides opportunities for diagnostic, formative and summative feedback.

Your work will include design presentations, group and individual presentations relating to non-design modules, the creation of portfolios, essays and technical reports as well as practical assessments relating to surveying etc.

All your work is assessed by these methods and there are no examinations; something we were congratulated on by the Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists who view practical assessments as a far better learning method for Architectural Technologists. Therefore methods of assessment have an emphasis on practical tasks based on the simulation of ‘real life’ situations to prepare you for the working world, and gain abilities valued by potential employers.

TEACHING AND LEARNING

Wrexham Glyndŵr University is committed to supporting our students to maximise their academic potential.

We offer workshops and support sessions in areas such as academic writing, effective note-making and preparing for assignments. Students can book appointments with academic skills tutors dedicated to helping deal with the practicalities of university work. Our student support section has more information on the help available.

With all assessments you will be fully supported by the teaching team; including assigning you a personal tutor you can speak to about any issues you have during your time on the course.

Work is undertaken both individually and in groups. You will be encouraged to think independently, critically and logically to effectively communicate appropriate design solutions. The course aims to inspire professionalism, design flair, technological competence and originality.